Karnataka government has announced that it will strengthen its efforts to curb the spread of fake news and misinformation as it is required to protect public order, maintain communal harmony and ensure that citizens have access to accurate information.
The steps are coming at a time of growing concern as fake news is spread rapidly on social media apps, messaging apps and other forms of communication.
State officials said they are looking at how to enhance coordination among law enforcement agencies, cybercrime units and other agencies and how we can identify and respond to false information that could spark panic, disrupt public services or incite unrest.
This comes after several recent instances in which false information on social media has spread rapidly - misinformation from one person to another -- with edited videos, false images and unverified claims that have caused confusion among the public.
While digital platforms have made communication faster and more accessible, they have also allowed misinformation to reach high-volume audiences in less than a moment, the authorities said.
As such, the government’s plan would be for the detection of fake content and for timely verification of information and for social media users to be educated on responsible use.
Cyber experts are expected to work closely with law enforcement agencies to identify the origin of viral misinformation and take action against those who knowingly create or distribute false content in breach of the law.
Misinformation can have a serious impact in disaster events, public health problems, elections and law and order issues, according to officials. False claims about weather alerts, communal problems, government schemes or emergencies can cause unnecessary panic and impede the actions of the authorities in the real situation.
The government will also have to work to improve public communication for accurate information to be disseminated to citizens in a short, straight way through official channels. Early information would help reduce the spread of rumours and fake news.
Cybercrime units across Karnataka have already been dealing with fake social media accounts, fraudulent online activities, impersonation, and digitally manipulated content. The proposed initiatives will only enhance their capability with better technology, advanced training and closer cooperation with relevant stakeholders.
Digital literacy will play a central role in dealing with misinformation, experts say. Public awareness campaigns advising citizens to check the truth before they share it, to trust sources of information and to avoid forwarding unverified messages will be a crucial part of the government’s overall strategy.
Fact-checking is becoming more and more important in a digital world, where artificial intelligence, image editing software and sophisticated video manipulation tools can create fake content. People should then cross-check sensational claims with official government statements, well-known news organisations or trusted fact-checking services before they publish them.
Social media companies might also be able to prevent the spread of harmful misinformation. Governments around the world are increasingly collaborating with technology platforms to improve reporting mechanisms, remove unlawful content where appropriate and make misleading posts a lot more transparent.
Legal professionals say India has laws to deal with the deliberate spread of misinformation that breeds public disorder, criminal intimidation, fraud or other unlawful activities. But enforcement needs to be balanced with constitutional protections for free speech and legitimate public discussion, they argue.
There has been a lot of interest in the effort to combat fake news in civil society groups to combat it but we must ensure that any action to be taken is transparent, fair, proportionate and in line with the rule of law. These organisations feel that there is a need for the information to be disseminated, the media literacy to be in place, and the social media literacy and responsible online behaviour must be promoted to support the right of citizens in the digital world and not to deter genuine criticism or public debate.
Technology experts also urge greater investment in artificial intelligence-based monitoring systems that can detect coordinated misinformation campaigns, fake accounts and manipulated multimedia content. Such tools can assist investigators in identifying emerging misinformation trends before they spread widely.
The Karnataka government’s move shows that misinformation is a major issue in the digital age. Governments, technology companies, educational institutions and citizens all have a stake in making an information ecosystem trustworthy.
The message should not be sent until the official is approved through a reliable source to the Internet and the public is advised to be mindful while using the internet and not send any messages unless it is verified by the source. Citizens should also report any suspicious or misleading content to the authorities if they find it to be concerning.
Karnataka is trying to build on the institutional coordination, digital literacy and awareness of the public to build a more robust information environment where accurate reporting is better than rumour and misinformation.
The government feels that collective responsibility and informed digital citizenship are in order to tackle the ever-evolving issue of fake news in the increasingly digitised world.
